Sunday, December 9, 2012

The crimson thread by Suzanne Weyn

Bridget and her family have moved from their small village in Ireland to the bustling city of New York, a new place to make their home and their fortunes.  City life is very different from what they are all used to, and Bridget finds the city dirty and depressing.  While the family quickly finds work, they also quickly find trouble and with her father and brothers away Bridget is left alone to look after her youngest brother and little sister while trying to earn enough money to keep them fed and with a roof over their head.

When her father helps her to find what seems like the perfect job, Bridget is happy at first - especially when the handsome James pays her a flattering amount of attention.  Life is fine, things seem to be working, although she is not sure how to take the attentions of Ray, who always seems to be around when she needs him.  When her father boldly claims that she can work miracles with fabric, it seems like she will never be able to live up to the bargain, and with her whole family at risk Bridget will do almost anything to make things work - she will even make a dreadful bargain.

The crimson thread is a retelling of the classic fairytale Rumplestiltskin, but it is so much more than just that.  Weyn has taken a dark tale of lose and desperation, and given it a rich back drop and revamp.  Without ruining the twists within the story, this is a well written story that goes beyond the bare bones of the original tale.  Part romance, part historical fiction, part adventure, this is a story in its own right, an enjoyable read that doesn't feel like the same old story told over - it has echoes of the original story, but it also has a charm all its own.  There is a trend to retell fairytales, and there are also elements of traditional stories and fairytales that seem to end up in stories (whether the author intended them to or not) and this was one of the better ones I have read.

If you like this book then try:

Reviewed by Brilla 

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